Project Description

By Kylie: 2022-2023

I was in Brattleboro Retreat and was put in an isolation unit in Tyler, there for swearing. It was labeled as abusive and violent language, and I was threatened that if I left, I would be physically restrained onto a metal chair with leather straps and I would be chemically sedated. The doctor gave me nicotine gum just by me asking; she provided no screenings or anything. She just gave it to me, and then when I was at Cedar Ridge facility, I was subject to verbal degradation by staff members. I was called a racist and sexist by a white male staff because I would get into arguments with a black woman. The day after my suicide attempt, he told me that he would not be surprised if I turned out to be a serial killer. We were isolated from each other. We would be put in chairs during the times where we wouldn’t have a group or school, which was probably about 90% of the time. We would have to sit and watch TV. We were not allowed to talk with each other or interact. If we did, we would get in trouble. I was again put on isolation for swearing, meaning I could not talk with people. I had to say 10 feet away from all of my peers. I was labeled a cult leader because I led a protest against their behaviors where we stood and we talked. I was threatened with what they called booty juice and physical restraint, conditions included ice, cold showers, where we were told that if we did not shower, we would be put on unit restriction the quality of our body wash. Shampoo and conditioner were so bad that staff paid out-of-pocket to get us body washes, shampoos, and conditioners for the unit. Sometimes we wouldn’t even have proper hygiene equipment. And I was labeled unladylike by a female staff member because I farted. This may seem small, but it was gender identity based because I am a transgender woman, and this was specifically supposed to be an LGBTQ focus unit the Thunderbirds at Cedar Ridge, she said it in a mocking condescending way she said that’s not very ladylike of you in response to me doing a very normal human bodily function. If possible, I would love to testify. I am a resident of Vermont, whether that would be testifying directly to Vermont senators or state, representatives, or to Congress entirely.